GW: After many long years, the long-awaited disclosure of information relative to settlements granted to anti-hunting groups by the USFWS may come to fruition via the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act. But, what will we learn? And, can this Congress get anything done to change to the transparency in government we were all promised and rightfully deserve, once we learn the deep, dark secrets purposely hidden from us? And if not now, when?
On September 1, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chairs Congressmen Jeff Duncan (SC) and Gene Green (TX) introduced H.R. 3668, the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act, or SHARE Act, in the House of Representatives. Original cosponsors include CSC Vice-Chair Congressman Austin Scott (GA) and CSC Member Congressman Rob Wittman (VA).
H.R. 3668 includes 16 pro-sportsmen’s provisions aiming to enhance hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation opportunities on federal land. Key titles include the following:
*Fishing Protection Act (protecting the use of traditional fishing tackle and ammunition)
*Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act
*Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage Opportunities Act
*Farmer and Hunter Protection Act
*Transporting bows across National Park Service lands *Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act
*Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act
*North American Wetlands Conservation Extension
The House Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a hearing on the SHARE Act for Wednesday, September 12, at 10:00 am EST. Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane has submitted written testimony in support of several of the provisions included.
